Russian President Vladimir Putin has authorised commercial flights between Egypt and Russia to resume, following a two-year suspension.
The move is expected to place further pressure on the British government to review its own stance on flights to Egypt.
The UK Foreign Office (FCO) currently advises against flying into Sharm el Sheikh, following the bombing of a Russian Metrojet aircraft in 2015.
Other Egyptian destinations such as Hurghada and the Red Sea Bays have worked hard to attract some of Sharm’s business, offering the same year-round beach and diving attractions.
Amr El-Ezabi, director UK & Ireland for the Egyptian State Tourist Authority, said: “We are very pleased that flights between Egypt and Russia will now resume, as it’s a clear sign of the confidence that the Russian government has in the aviation and airport security standards that Egypt has introduced.
“We hope this will encourage flights back to Sharm from the UK so that travellers can return to the destination.”
Since the 2015 attack, the Egyptian government has since invested £20 million into raising airport security standards, working with a British aviation security firm. All European countries, except for the UK, have now permitted flights to resume.
EgyptAir will initially operate services from Cairo to Moscow three times per week from February 2018, with announcements on charter flights to holiday destinations resuming expected to follow shortly.